Date: January 18 - 19, 2020
Location: Rattlesnake Arches - Colorado
Distance: 19 miles
Elevation Change: 2500 feet up and 2500 back down
Group: Solo trip
This area has been on my radar for several months. I wasn't feeling like a snow trip in January, so I decided it was time to explore some desert country. I took more of a scenic route, so you could shave a few miles off this. There are zero sources of water out here (or at least there weren't in January aside from some snow), so pack in whatever you will need.
There were about 4 people within a few miles of the trailhead. After that, I had the whole area to myself.
The trail was pretty straight forward and easy to follow with the exception of dropping down into Pollock Canyon and then climbing back out. At first glance, it doesn't look doable and I actually missed the turnoff to it. After some careful negotiating on the icy and snowy rocks, I made it down and back up the other side (see below).
After that point, the trail was progressively under increasing snow. I'd worn my summer-time trail running shoes and arrived at the arches with wet shoes and socks.
If you look closely, you can see a distant arch on the horizon, just right of center.
After a very cold night, I woke up to completely solid ice in my water bottles and frozen shoes. Just saying - it was cold! After about 3 miles, my shoes had thawed out and I could feel my toes again. The morning sun also came out, brightening the experience.
Great place to explore if you'd like to see some amazing scenery, without the crowds at Arches National Park.
